Day: June 27, 2023

Some 300 pupils have emerged winners at the three-day 12th edition of the Universal Concept of Mental Arithmetic System (UCMAS) competition held at the Pentecost Convention Centre at Kasoa. The pupils, between the ages of 5 to 14, won out of the total 2,000 pupils from more than a thousand private basic schools nationwide that participated in the three-day competition, receiving silver cups and cash prizes as their awards. They won in the 16 categories with each category having at least 18 to 20 winners. The quiz was on mental arithmetic calculations, thus, the pupils responded to arithmetic questions posed to them without using calculators. Mr Girish Gurboni, Managing Director of Maurya Education, organizers of the quiz, said they aimed to empower the pupils with the invaluable skill of mental arithmetic, recognising its role in shaping young minds and cultivating crucial cognitive abilities. ‘At Maurya Education, we firmly believe that mental arithmetic serves as the cornerstone for developing critical thinking skills in children. ‘In a rapidly evolving world, where problem-solving, analytical thinking, and decision-making are paramount, it is imperative to equip our children with the tools they need to navigate through life successfully,’ he added. Mr Gurboni stressed that mental arithmetic also facilitated the development of analytical and logical thinking, fostering a generation of independent and innovative problem solvers. He said studies had shown that it stimulated various regions of the brain, leading to the development of key cognitive skills such as attention, memory, and spatial awareness. He added that those skills, coupled with the ability to perform complex mental calculations, enabled children to approach challenges with confidence, resilience, and a growth mind-set. Kiara Kwaansah, a pupil of Eben Holy Spirit Preparatory School, said she had learned to be attentive and focused through the competition. Ejike Mercy Chinememma, a Class Three pupil of Bethel School Complex, and one of the winners of the competition, said she had been able to build her confidence and promptness to answer questions.

Source: Ghana News Agency

Inhabitants of Song-Mbengue and Ngambe decry the muddy and slippery nature of the 30km seasonal road linking up both communities in the Sanaga Maritime Division of the Littoral region.

” The road condition this rainy season is horrible. When rain falls, the road stretch becomes practically impassable,” a stranded passenger cried out.

While embarking on a journey during this rainy period, everyone must be well prepared to meet the ugly state of the road and ready to trample in mud. A compulsory exercise if they want to continue the journey.

“Once here, anybody claiming neatness has to drop that in the trash bin. Everyone is obliged to step down and assist the driver push, for the vehicle to climb the slippery hill and other impassable places. You can imagine what you will look like before reaching your destination.” The passenger added.

If the populations of these two communities have been silent throughout the dry season because of better climatic conditions, they have decided this rainy season to voice out their predicaments to the powers that be, for the ever-busy Song-Mbengue – Ngambe stretch of road to be tarred.

This way, transportation will be flexible, swift, and cheap.

Source: Cameroon News Agency

The Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi has cautioned Media Practitioners against the use of hate speech through their media outlets.

He was speaking on Monday, June 26 during the national awareness seminar in Yaounde.

The seminar which was organized by the National Communication

Council, NCC held under the theme: “Mechanisms for eradicating hate speech in Cameroonian media”

The Minister urged Journalists and media persons should stay away from hate speech, especially in the aspect of tribalism.

“We draw your attention to the rise of hate and tribalism in our public space in general and on the media and social media in particular,”. The minister said.

He further enjoined Cameroonians to be conscious of this phenomenon in order to preserve the unity and stability of the country.

The president of the National Communication Council, Joseph Chebonkeng said, “In participating, transmitting, you are contributing to vanish the rather extreme repercussions of hate speech, which are the accentuation of division and radicalization, rise of extremism, the decline in national feeling, and all things that lead to hate and indecent practices and I believe this is not what we want for our beloved country,”

The initiative to edify media persons in mechanisms to combat and eradicate hate speech in Cameroon is the NCC’s response to requests by the national and international community, to raise awareness among local actors in the fight against this rising phenomenon.

Source: Cameroon News Agency